Rock County union leaders want Governor Scott Walker to know they don’t share his optimistic vision on job creation. UAW Local 95 president Mike Marcks joined educators and unemployed individuals outside the Rock County Job Center Thursday evening. “Are you going to continue to accept this? This is nuts. We got too many people that are continually laid off, on and on and on. And then, only thing they do to help the people is not only to take away some of their unemployment benefits, but then to put in the waiting week.”
AUDIO: Marcks, Knutsen (:60)
They called the event “the state of Rock County” and emphasized how cuts in education funding a joblessness are affecting the area. Even with a degree in criminal justice, Janesville resident Marcia Knutsen says she can’t find a job in her field. “Everybody’s kind of saying the same thing, “I can’t find anything,” And it’s really just disheartening and sad.” Knutsen says most employers want two years’ experience. She says she comes to the Rock County Job Center and fills out applications every week but doesn’t get calls back. Knutsen told her story at a rally called “the state of Rock County” which local union leaders say is a response to the governor’s state of the state address.
Beth Wheelock, WCLO
